The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
In addition to its constitutional charge of supervising all matters pertaining to public schools, the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and its office has numerous and broad responsibilities prescribed in statute, including:
The SPI is also required to develop and periodically revise state learning standards that identify the knowledge and skills all public school students need to know and be able to do based on four basic education learning goals established in statute. Fourteen state learning standards have been adopted, including Mathematics, English Arts, Science, and Integrated Environmental and Sustainability standards.
School Sustainability and Resource Conservation Programs.
School sustainability and resource conservation programs have been established federally and locally. One example of a local program is the King County Green Schools Program (KCGSP). The KCGSP was created in 2002 by King County to assist school districts and public and private schools in King County (but outside of Seattle) in starting and improving waste prevention programs, recycling, and other resource conservation practices.
Washington State Green Schools Program.
The Washington State Green Schools Program (Green Schools Program) is established in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to create and expand resource conservation practices in public schools, including:
The Green Schools Program is voluntary and is intended to:
Grant Program.
Subject to funding provisions, the OSPI is directed to establish and administer a grant program to provide assistance to school districts and public schools for the purpose of creating or expanding resource conservation practices in accordance with the Green Schools Program.
Through the grant program, school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools participating in the Green Schools Program may apply for:
Legislative Intent Language?Green Schools Program and Energy Grant Programs.
Provisions specifying legislative intent are included. The intent section includes legislative findings, references the establishment of the Green Schools Program, and specifies that the Legislature intends for the Department of Commerce, when providing funds to school districts through energy grant programs funded in the capital budget, and to the extent practicable, to prioritize school districts that are participating in the Green Schools Program.
(In support) Students are interested in expanding leadership opportunities related to conservation practices, but local efforts have not always progressed with student interest.
Students worked hard to restart a local green schools program after the pandemic, but with school district budget cuts, this was difficult to accomplish. This bill will help pay for student advisors and the promotion of conservation practices. If passed, participating school districts will have preferred access to capital budget funds for solar panels.
This bill has many great parts and will help schools and communities. Stakeholders are excited about possible partnerships with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and related opportunities for local school gardens.
Stakeholders appreciate the connection to the DNR, including schoolyard greening projects for human and environmental health.
Scientists suggest that we need more action to respond to global warming. Education should be part of that action and this bill will help students learn more about lessening climate impacts.
Green teams involve STEM learning and provide opportunities to learn, educate the community, and form relationships. This bill will make a significant impact for students and communities.
(Opposed) None.
Representative Steve Bergquist, prime sponsor; Anjali Bergquist, Kennydale Elementary School; Eleanor Thomson, Maplewood Heights Elementary School; Tyrell Hardtke; Brooke Davies, Climate Pledge Arena; and Brian Considine, Department of Natural Resources.
Sara Betnel, Shoreline School Board; Anna Hernandez-French, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Kathryn Kurtz, Pacific Education Institute.
No new changes were recommended.
(In support) This bill is important for students across the state who want more leadership opportunities in schools, but students need adults to help. Funding for advisors at schools would empower students to get involved in their schools, make changes that improve everyone's educational experience, and keep schools green at the same time. Volunteer advisors help organize students and supplies to help make schools greener. When schools do not have advisors, it is difficult for students to get together and get the supplies needed to complete green missions. Students want to improve the environment, and this bill will help. The bill provides flexibility regarding the funding level, and the grant program could start as a smaller one-time investment of $500,000 to help support schools.
Trees provide shade and other benefits for families and students, and this bill will provide benefits to students as well. The benefits of increasing child accessible tree canopies on school campuses are undeniable. The shade provided from additional trees will protect students from extreme heat at school. This bill is a transformative opportunity for students to engage in resource conservation practices that will have a positive impact on the environment. The bill's emphasis on waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, urban forestry education, and environmental preservation aligns with the urgent need to address climate change and build a sustainable future. The bill also specifies that students will be granted educational and leadership opportunities, which is crucial to empowering students as advocates for positive change. This will also develop future leaders in the fight against climate change and will pave the way for a greener and more environmentally conscious state. This bill will make the Evergreen State ever so greener.
This bill has merits like waste reduction and energy conservation, but its primary benefit will be seen in the long term. Many young people are passionate about conservation efforts for the environment, but they lack the feeling of advocacy needed for activism. This bill outlines ways to engage students in conservation efforts, but what especially stands out is the opportunity for student leadership in these efforts. Showing young people that they do have influence in the political process and on the environment is a crucial step to bringing about tangible change in future generations. The hope is that a future fiscal note could clarify the financial impacts of the bill, especially the intent section, and whether cooling costs would be significantly reduced by additional shade provided by more trees on school campuses.
(Opposed) None.
Representative Steve Bergquist, prime sponsor; Vikram Srinivasan and Andrew Alkin, Lake Washington High School; and Anjali Bergquist, Kennydale Elementary School.